8 



imparts from reflections of a nature that seems to be throbbing 

 out its life forever : were it an eternal death — no springtime 

 resurrection of bud and flower — who would piot rather, with 

 their own heart's blood, dye once more the fallen russset leaf 

 with vermilion. 



In smaller space glowed sofa pillows and ottoman covers — 

 concentrations of Avork, for in a piece of canvas of ordinary 

 fineness, eighteen inches square, are comprised one hundred 

 and twent^'-five thousand stitches. When we compute the time 

 consumed in assorting wools and shading the wrought flowers, 

 they truly seem something anah^gous to the beehive in indus- 

 try. These needle-pictures alwaj's receive warm greeting from 

 the Fair's visitors. 



Some delicate needle-work on underwear was observable, 

 although the hand feminine will so ingrain bought laces and 

 Hamburg edgings into their underwear that the majority of 

 these articles were of no value as exponents of woman's skill. 

 The gratuities upon such should be classified thus : twenty five 

 per cent, to the Flj'ing Shuttle Cloth Mills, fifty per cent, to 

 the Calais Bobbin-net Lace Works, twenty per cent, to the 

 Patent Tucking Company and five per cent, to the worthy 

 woman who plagiarized in all these to bring forth a nigbt-robe. 



The vast array of quilts and rugs portrayed very marked 

 industrial qualities. Some of the rugs had shaded flowers that 

 looked soft as if done in chenille or German wools. The mak- 

 ers are entitled to much credit for they have evolved a tiling of 

 beauty from the most uninviting, prosaic products. 



Of hosierj'', and hand-wear, there were goodly numbers. 

 Good health is retained bj' warm feet, and, I believe, the wifely 

 hands fight off many a grim disease by the persistency with 

 which she throws glistening streams from her bright knitting- 

 needles in the evening firelights. As I see the little children 



